Breast Augmentation - San Francisco, CA

What is Breast Augmentation?

Breast augmentation surgery is a procedure that enlarges the breasts to result in a fuller appearance. It is generally known to be one of the most wanted cosmetic surgeries, offering women who are unhappy with their breasts numerous options for improvement. Using implants or a fat transfer, this cosmetic treatment improves breast size and shape and results in an attractive and balanced outcome. As one of the most popular surgical cosmetic procedures in the United States, breast augmentation is an operation for women who are looking for more volume and better shape, as well as those who have had children and have lost breast volume after breastfeeding. San Francisco, CA board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Leonard Gray creates gorgeous, lasting results for his patients and performs this surgery numerous times per week. With both silicone and saline options available, Dr. Gray will be able to formulate a procedure plan that is ideal for you and your goals. When you have your consultation at Bay Area Plastic Surgery, he will assess your concerns and desires and educate you on all of the choices available. Learn more by contacting our state-of-the-art facility to schedule your initial visit.

Saline v. Silicone Implants

Saline

There are only two saline implant manufacturers in the U.S.: Mentor® and Allergan®. One of the main advantages of saline implants is that they are able to be placed through a smaller incision. Additionally, they can have a firmer feel and the volume is able to be adjusted during surgery. Since saline implants are formulated with a solution that is similar to existing liquids found within the body, it is able to be absorbed by the body if the implant were to become damaged. During a comprehensive consultation, Dr. Gray will discuss if you are an ideal candidate for saline implants.

Silicone

Silicone implants can tend to feel more like natural breast tissue and are at a lower risk for rippling and wrinkling. There are three FDA-approved breast implant manufacturers: Sientra®, Mentor®, and Allergan®. Both Mentor and Allergan use the exact same silicone gel in their implants. The Sientra company uses a thicker silicone gel made in a separate factory in Santa Barbara, CA. This thicker, silicone cohesive gel implant is commonly called a "gummy bear" implant. In addition, the Sientra company has a textured shell that is different from the Mentor and Allergan types, and only the Sientra texturing shows a decrease in capsular contracture rates when the implant is placed under the muscle. Sientra implants are only available to board-certified plastic surgeons. Each implant line has some advantages, and Dr. Gray uses all of the manufacturers and all of the different profiles and always lets the patient choose their favorite.

Implant Options

During your initial consultation with Dr. Gray, the correct implant will be recommended based on your body size and shape, as well as the results you hope to attain. Breast implants are made in different shapes, sizes, profiles, and textures — all of which are considered carefully in order to attain the desired result. Still, the most common implant types are saline or silicone, both widely popular and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is important to mention that candidates considering saline implants must be at least 18 years old while patients must be at least 22 years old in order to undergo augmentation with silicone. In addition to the type of implant used, there are other notable factors to consider.

Size

Implant size is chosen based on the number of CCs of silicone or saline used. To understand the correct volume, Dr. Gray will decipher how much original tissue exists and the size you hope to achieve. In the operating room, it is common for Dr. Gray to temporarily switch out multiple implants to get an idea of a better fit.

Shape

Implants are produced in either a teardrop or round shape. Both of these shapes are widely used; however, a large majority of our patients decide on a round shape. It generally looks and feels more natural while adding a fullness to the top of the breast that a large percentage of patients want.

Profile

Breast implant profile refers to the projection. In other words, this is what one sees from the side angle. The most common projections include low to extra high ranges.

Making Your Choices

These options may seem overwhelming, but selecting the right implant is somewhat easy once the patient's desires are discussed during the consultation. These considerations, coupled with the training of Dr. Gray, make certain the anticipated outcome is met.

Breast Augmentation Reviews

"Dr. Gray is AMAZING...I had a breast augmentation just over 10 years ago. I would NEVER go to another surgeon for anything. He has amazing skills, professionalism, and makes you feel so comfortable. I went to many consultations prior to going to see Dr. Gray, I knew that he was THE ONE. He truly does impeccable work. hands down."

- A.C. / Google / Jun 28, 2014

"Dr. Gray is awesome. I have had a couple of breast augmentations with him and they have been perfect each time. He explains all the different implant types out there (some surgeons do not do this) and he is the only Dr. I know that does an incision at the very tip of the nipple so you have zero scarring. It's amazing! I referred my sister in law and best friend to him and he delivered both times. His work is beautiful and consistent. You are safe going to him as he runs tests and does his work out of Seton Medical. Robert in the front is very friendly, informative and answers all your questions. He specializes in breast augmentation but I have seen his liposuction work and it is flawless with minimal scarring as well. It doesn't get better then Dr. Clark!"

- Anonymous / RateMDs / Apr 08, 2010

"BA 32 Year Old, 120 Lbs, 5'3", 32B, No Kids - San Francisco, CA - Dr. Gray is incredibly knowledgable and skilled in his field. His experience of 20 years if evident in the result of his plastic surgery. I am so impressed by how he was so delicate with his approach that I only had to take pain medication for the first 3 days!! I had my procedure on Friday and was back to work on Tuesday (bear in mind, I do have a desk job!). I can not say enough good things about my experience with Dr. Gray and his staff."

- K. / RealSelf / Jul 01, 2016

"I am a new client for Dr. Gray. I had a breast augmentation done about a week ago and today was my first check up appointment since my procedure. I cannot tell you how pleased I am with the results. Since our first appointment, Dr. Gray took his time explaining everything thoroughly before my procedure and made sure all my questions we're answered and that I was 100% comfortable. From the moment I walked in to his office, I received a warm welcoming from his staff and everyone was so helpful and made me feel less nervous since this was my first time EVER getting plastic surgery. All the ladies in his office are friendly and organized when it comes to scheduling any of my upcoming check ups. Dr. Gray is amazing and anyone looking to have a procedure done, I strongly recommend you come see him!"

- K.M. / Yelp / Jul 06, 2016

"I was referred from several friends who have had breast augmentations from Dr. Gray and everyone has been very happy with the results. When I had my consultation with Dr. Gray he was super informative about all of my options before the surgery and his team had made me feel super comfortable. They are good about preparing you beforehand, letting you know weeks in advanced what is needed for both the pre op and the post op appointments. They also make sure you have a one week and two week appointment after the surgery to make sure everything is going as planned. The RN called two days prior to the surgery to go over any last minute questions I may have, which made me feel much better about the upcoming procedure. I am very excited to see the results!"

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Ideal Candidates for Breast Augmentation

The decision to have breast enlargement surgery is personal. If you are thinking about having this procedure, it is important you do it for the right reasons. You should be physically healthy with breasts that are developed and be the appropriate age to have implants. If you are unhappy with the aesthetics of your breasts because they seem lifeless, you could benefit from this surgery. Moreover, if your breasts have been affected by age, pregnancy, or weight loss, this surgery can bring them back to life with increased volume. It is also a welcomed answer if you work out with weights or have limited original breast mass.

Breast Augmentation Surgical Technique

Incision type and implant location are discussion points that are generally made before surgery. During the procedure, the chosen incision is created and then the chosen implant will be slipped into its position. There are two methods that may be applied for implant placement. These include either submuscular (under the pectoral muscle and tissue), or submammary/subglandular placement (over the pec muscle). In general, Dr. Gray tends to place our implants submuscularly since they tend to have a slopey upper pole and a more full lower pole and thus look the most natural. In addition, this submuscular placement leads to less rippling and palpability and a lower rate of capsular contracture. Subglandular placement is rare and tends to be chosen by women who are professional bodybuilders or women who like a very round "fake" appearance.

Dr. Gray invented the "tiny nipple incision" for saline implants, and it is nearly undetectable. He has used this incision for more than 20 years with thousands of his patients. For patients who want saline implants with a nearly undetectable incision, this is an ideal choice. To place silicone implants, Dr. Gray typically utilizes incisions at the areola, the inframammary fold, or the armpit. The armpit incision is Dr. Gray’s least favorite because there is very little control of the surgery field with this approach. There is more bleeding, more asymmetry, and poorer cleavage. The areolar approach has some effect on breastfeeding and has a higher capsular contracture rate compared to the inframammary approach. In terms of visibility, the inframammary incision is generally less visible. Both incisions have a low risk of affecting nipple sensation. Generally, the inframammary incision is chosen 2:1 compared to the areolar incision. Dr. Gray allows the patient to choose their incision site. Regardless of the incision, scarring is often hidden within the natural creases and lines of the body. Implant placement is determined based on your body type, implant size, and lifestyle.

What to Expect with Breast Augmentation

Breast enhancement surgery is an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia. Once the incision is made, the breast implant will be inserted through the incision opening and deposited into a pocket created for it, and then fitted into its correct position. Following the placement of the implant, the incision is closed with skin adhesives or sutures. Each patient will be taken into a recovery area and carefully monitored before being released. You will be sent home wearing a medical sports bra to assist with swelling. Several days after surgery, the swelling and bruising will begin to dissipate, and the breasts will begin to feel normal as they fall into their new position. Most patients can resume normal activities within the first week; however, physical exertion, such as exercise, should be avoided for about a couple of months. This surgery produces beautiful outcomes that feel and appear natural. This procedure oftentimes can be a life-changer for many women, allowing them the chance to feel more confident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a breast lift or augmentation?
Your plan might include implants, a lift, or both. Breast lift surgery removes loose skin and raises the breasts while implants address the shape and size of the breasts. During your consultation with Dr. Gray, he will listen to your concerns and goals before explaining your best treatment options. A combination augmentation and lift are usually a part of a mommy makeover to revitalize the breasts after breastfeeding and pregnancy.

Can I breastfeed with implants?
If you want to breastfeed after augmentation surgery, be sure to tell Dr. Gray during your consultation. It is usually possible to breastfeed after augmentation surgery with the right placement and technique. Breastfeeding and pregnancy can alter your results so it is best to wait until after you are done having children to have breast surgery.

Can I have my implants removed?
You may decide at some point that you want to replace or remove your implants. Should this happen, Dr. Gray can perform breast revision surgery. In revision surgery, your current implants will be either replaced with new implants or removed. If you want to have your implants removed, you may need to have excess skin removed because larger implants may stretch your skin. If you have any concerns or questions after your breast augmentation surgery, schedule an appointment at Bay Area Plastic Surgery to discuss your options.

Do implants cause breast cancer?
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is still investigating a possible link between implants and ALCL (anaplastic large cell lymphoma). This is not breast cancer; it is a cancer of the immune system. According to the WHO (World Health Organization), implant-related ALCL is very rare and if caught early, it's highly treatable. Dr. Gray encourages all patients with breast implants to get frequent screenings for breast cancer. You should contact Bay Area Plastic Surgery if you notice any concerns, such as swelling or other visible changes.

Plan Your Procedure

Get the Look You Want with Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is notorious for many excellent reasons. This procedure is FDA approved for safety and effectiveness and produces exciting outcomes. With numerous available considerations, you can get the look you have always wanted. Bay Area Plastic Surgery is excited to offer this proven treatment, and we invite you to learn more. Contact Bay Area Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, CA to make your first office visit with Dr. Leonard Gray.